‘Play That Goes Wrong’ Gets it Right for Families (at a Good Price)

Editor’s note: New York City presents amazing theatrical opportunities to share with our families. NYC Dads Group recently collaborated with “The Play That Goes Wrong” so several of our members and their kids could see show. Scroll to the end for a discount ticket offer!

The Play that Goes Wrong has a smash two-year run on Broadway, garnering two Tony Awards and a nomination for best play. The show recently transferred Off-Broadway into a more intimate format at the New World Stages. Even if the venue is a little smaller, the laughs are just as large.

The Play that Goes Wrong is accessible to all ages (the show’s website states it’s appropriate for ages 8+). Without giving anything away, the concept is that a small college’s theater group puts together a murder mystery production. The hilarity occurs, as the title indicates, when things go dreadfully wrong, and the actors have to figure out how to compensate and make sure the show goes on. The play breaks down the fourth wall, as cast members interact with audience members at different times. They are even good at improvising when a young audience member shouts something out. In this midst of all the chaos there is an order, as incredibly, no one gets hurt. All of it is unadulterated fun.

A group of 25 NYC Dads Group members and their families took in the show recently and even got to go on stage to meet the cast. My daughter complained at first about going to the show because she prefers to spend her Sundays glued to her iPad. By the play’s end, she was thrilled I had encouraged her to see this show that she now considers one of the funniest plays she has ever seen.

After the show, our group participated in a Q&A session with the entire cast of talented performers  and even got to go up on stage to take pictures. This was a special opportunity for our families, where some the actors shared some intriguing secrets, and the children in our group learned a great appreciation of the art of acting. These performers understand the importance of passing the joy of theater on to a new generation. Afterward, members of our group could not stop talking about this fantastic performance.

They love ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’

The Play That Goes Wrong captivated our group from start to finish. Here’s what some of the other NYC Dads Group members in attendance had to say:

“This was my daughter’s first theater experience and it couldn’t have been better. We couldn’t stop laughing the whole time. We have a theater fan for life!” –– Steven Moralez

“What a great way to spend an afternoon with my son! I had to keep searching for tissues to wipe away the tears of laughter during the show. Even if some of the plot went a little over my son’s head, he loved laughing at the non-stop antics on stage.” –– Aaron Yavelberg

“My son and I love to watch comedies together. This play was hilarious from beginning to end. We could not stop laughing.” — Larry Interrante

“Prepare for your cheeks to hurt from the nonstop smiles and laughter throughout the show. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. It was the perfect way to spend a cultural and entertaining afternoon bonding with my son. We highly recommend his show for anyone in need of a good laugh.” — Lance Somerfeld

Performance and discount ticket info

The Play that Goes Wrong runs at the New World Stages, 340 50th Street in Manhattan, with eight performances weekly, including matinees on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Being an NYC Dads Group member, friend or fan has its perks. We have $59 discounted orchestra tickets for you! Click here to score your discounted seats.

Disclosure: The team at “The Play That Goes Wrong” provided complimentary tickets for NYC Dads Group to attend. The opinions expressed in this review are heartfelt, honest, and 100 percent our own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Corbin Younger is a tutor and parent advocate, part-time writer and full-time dad to his 7-year-old daughter. He was previously a special education teacher for 20 years in Virginia and New York.